The Good Son

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Audience Member Zaida Bergroth earned praise and recognition for "Skavabölen pojat" a beautifully directed coming of age tale of two brothers growing up in volatile and abusive family conditions. With "Hyvä poika" Bergroth revisits the experiences of young men and again explores the complicated relationships between parents and children approaching adulthood. The movie focuses on a holiday a teenaged boy and his mother spend together. Things begin to get complicated to the point of deadly when the mother invites a man to stay over with them. In a cleverly escalating series of scenes a tragedy is formed, perhaps fueled by oedipal feelings, parental negligence or just cruel twists of fate. Mental health crumbles and tensions become violence. "Hyvä poika" is brilliantly acted and maneges to hold its steady course towards a bleek climax quite well. Still, it isn't as uniquely insightful as the subject matter might have allowed. Bergroth's script isn't nearly as well built as it was with "Skavabölen pojat" even if her direction is solid, although more realistic than in her breakthrough. In the end the acting more than anything makes this one worth watching as the themes and the written characters are left oddly unformed. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member From a while back, now in the headlines again after having won silver in Egypt. Frighteningly good film with a obsessive son and mother in need of acceptance. Beautiful surroundings, good cast. Enjoyable despite the scary atmosphere. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Read all reviews

The Good Son

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